Smart Cochlear Implant System
New from Cochlear
Cochlear Unveils the World’s First and Only
Smart Cochlear Implant System
- Upgradeable Firmware: The Cochlear™ Nucleus® Nexa™ System features upgradeable firmware on the implant – an industry first, enabling recipients to benefit from future innovations through firmware updates.
- Smallest Sound Processor: The new Nucleus 8 Nexa Sound Processor, with the new Power Compact rechargeable battery, is the smallest sound processor with all-day battery life on the market. It is 9% smaller and 12% lighter than the Nucleus 8 Sound Processor with the Power Extend battery.1,2
- Internal Memory: The implant includes internal memory to securely store patients’ unique hearing settings (MAPs), which can be transferred to any Nucleus Nexa Sound Processor, making it easier to stay connected to sound if a patient ever loses or damages their sound processor.
- New Portfolio: The new system includes the Nucleus Nexa Implant, the Nucleus Kanso® 3 Nexa Sound Processor and the Nucleus 8 Nexa Sound Processor. In addition, those with Cochlear’s legacy Nucleus Systems will be able to upgrade to the new Kanso 3 Sound Processor.
[Hannover, Germany, 11 June 2025]: Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH), the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, has transformed the industry with the launch of the Cochlear Nucleus Nexa System, the world’s first and only smart cochlear implant designed to evolve with future innovations.
Until now, recipients of cochlear implants have only been able to access new technology through the external part of their system, the sound processor. To fully experience the benefits of new advancements, they have typically needed to replace their sound processor. The new smart Nexa System has upgradeable implant firmware, which for the first time will enable Cochlear recipients to access future innovation through both their implant and sound processor. This new firmware update pathway will enhance recipients’ periodic sound processor upgrades to deliver their best possible hearing experience, giving recipients more ways to access new innovations over time.
In addition, the new Nucleus 8 Nexa Sound Processor with the Power Compact rechargeable battery is the smallest and lightest sound processor with all day battery life on the market.1,2 Through a new algorithm called Dynamic Power Management, the Nucleus Nexa System intuitively responds to recipients’ changing needs across the day, all while adapting to maximize battery life. It is 9% smaller and 12% lighter than the Nucleus 8 Sound Processor with the Power Extend battery. 1,-8,#,*
“The Nucleus Nexa Implant is the first ever cochlear implant running its own firmware. Similar to smartphones, the implant firmware can be updated to enable new features and access future innovations. Recipients will now have access to their best possible hearing experience with both implant and sound processor updates. The Nucleus Nexa System builds upon Cochlear's industry-leading portfolio of electrodes, which are designed to optimize the electrode-neural interface and protect cochlear health for a lifetime of hearing performance and opens the door to even greater hearing potential for patients into the future. While it uses the same implant form factor as the most reliable cochlear implant in the industry, 9-11, †† the new Nexa Implant features a totally new and redesigned chipset packed with innovative and smart features. This includes onboard diagnostics, which takes the pressure off carers and recipients by allowing the system to check itself and monitor to ensure it is performing to the best of the recipient’s hearing needs. This new system sets a new industry standard,” Jan Janssen, Chief Technology Officer at Cochlear, said.
It is also the first implant with internal memory, which enables unique hearing settings (MAPs) to be securely stored in the implant itself and can be easily transferred to any Nucleus Nexa Sound Processor in the future, in case of a lost or damaged sound processor, making it easier to stay connected to sound.
The new system includes the Nucleus Nexa Implant, the Nucleus Kanso 3 Nexa Sound Processor, and the Nucleus 8 Nexa Sound Processor. The Nucleus Nexa Implant and sound processors are supported by Nucleus SmartNav, Nucleus Smart App, Custom Sound® Pro fitting software and True WirelessTM Devices. In addition, those with Cochlear’s legacy Nucleus Systems will be able to upgrade to the new Kanso 3 Sound Processor. Both the Kanso 3 Nexa and Kanso 3 sound processors will deliver all the innovative features introduced with the Nucleus 8 Sound Processor, including SmartSound IQ 2 with SCAN2 † and automated ForwardFocus ‡.
“The fact that the implant is future-ready gives patients confidence, knowing that the implant they receive today won’t become outdated tomorrow. The Nucleus Nexa System is the new standard in the industry” German KOL Professor Dr Thomas Lenarz said.
Like with Cochlear’s previous sound processor technology, the Nexa System is seamlessly connected to an ecosystem that delivers personalized care, a world of streaming options and features rugged IP68 waterproofing for listening in every language environment. 12-13,¥,**, #
“I can hear all the sounds. One of the first sounds I heard was my dog running on the wooden floor. I can also hear birds much better. It’s an incredible difference to be able to understand your daughter and your husband without much difficulty. Conversations became equal. I chose the Cochlear Nexa System because it was simply the most advanced technology. My work is going incredibly better. I do lots of virtual meetings via my phone or laptop. I can stream everything from radio to music. I am really happy with this system. I couldn’t live without it.” Beatrijs, recipient of the Cochlear Nucleus Nexa System, said.
Over 5% of the world’s population, 430 million people, live with disabling hearing loss.14 Up to 80% of children who received implants younger than 12 months demonstrated receptive vocabulary within the normal range by school entry.15 Hearing is not just about being able to hear words and sounds. It goes to the heart of a person’s health and wellbeing, and overall quality of life.16-18
Availability is subject to local approvals, but the system is expected to roll out in major European markets by mid-June 2025.
Discover how the Nucleus Nexa System can transform lives. Visit www.cochlear.com for more details.
Full press release available here